Combined toilet paper hand wipe

ABSTRACT

A hand towelette dispenser comprising of a dispenser situated near the toilet and a plurality of pre-moistened towelettes for cleaning the hands of a user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit to non-provisional application Ser. No.11/371,056, filed on Mar. 8, 2006, entitled “Combined Toilet Paper HandWipe”, which further claims benefit to provisional application60/659,602, filed on Mar. 8, 2005, entitled “Combined Toilet Paper HandWipe”, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to the field of hand wipes. Inparticular, the present invention is directed to a hand wipe that isplaced at or near a toilet and may be used to clean the hands of anindividual following normal bodily functions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

E-coli and similar bacteria are present in human fecal matter. E-coliand other bacterium present public health risks. The proper cleaning ofhands following natural bodily functions is critical to proper andthorough hygiene. Good bathroom hygiene includes the removal ofbacterium. A serious flaw with the present area of bathroom hygiene isthat most people put on their lower garments before washing their hands.

There have been a number of patents disclosed in the area of toiletpaper and hand wipes. U.S. Pat. No. 3,837,595 discloses a compactauxiliary device providing wetted or self-wetting sheets for releasableproximate mounting in conjunction with a conventional toilet-tissuedispenser of dry sheets; comprises an inexpensive container or magazinecomponent pre-loaded with the supplemental sheets. The magazine can besnapped into functional position rapidly. It serves an improved healthcare and cleanliness function.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,333 discloses a bathroom fixture of improvedconstruction, function and appearance for making available bothconventional toilet-tissue and a supplemental material, for example amoistening material for application to the human body such aspre-moistened sheets manually withdrawable from a container or housingcomponent.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,439,521 discloses a dispensing container for moisttoilet tissue includes an elongated housing having a circumferentialwall and a pair of endwalls. A dispensing opening for discharging tissuefrom said housing is provided and means for resisting full rotation ofsaid housing about its longitudinal axis is provided. A solution whichmay include cleansing and medicinal constituents as well as others, isprovided within the housing. In one embodiment a tubular portion definesa passageway for receipt of a toilet tissue roll holder rod. In oneembodiment the housing has a hinged opening for permitting access to theinterior thereof. In another embodiment the container is sealed anddisposable and in another embodiment two sections are mechanicallyseparable and rejoinable so as to facilitate refilling the solution andthe toilet tissue.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,577 discloses a housing provided having an interiorsurface defining a chamber. The chamber is sized to receive apre-moistened toilet paper roll. The chamber is substantially sealed tohelp prevent the evaporation of the moisture on the toilet paper roll.The housing includes a first end wall, an opposing second end wall, anda tubular side wall extending therebetween. The tubular side wallcomprises a C-shaped tube having a first lip and an opposing second lipdefining an opening extending therebetween. A door is slidably mountedon the interior surface of the C-shaped tube to selectively cover theopening. By opening the door, the toilet paper positioned within thehousing can be dispensed for use. Mounted on the interior surface of theC-shaped tube is a heating pad for warming the moistened toilet paper. Acompartment extends off of the housing and includes batteries that areelectrically connected to the heating pad for energizing the heatingpad. In an alternative embodiment, a light bulb can be positioned withinthe compartment for heating of the moistened toilet paper.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,235 discloses refillable dispenser for replacing astandard roll of toilet tissue on a standard pre-existing roll-typetoilet-tissue holder with a roll or selectively dispensablepre-moistened wipes replaceably contained therein so as to allow theroll of selectively dispensable pre-moistened wipes to be readilyavailable in virtually any bathroom and ensure its reliable and regularuse instead of the standard roll of toilet tissue. The dispenserincludes a hollow housing for containing the roll of selectivelydispensable pre-moistened wipes, and a core that passes freely throughthe core of the roll of selectively dispensable pre-moistened wipes forrotative motion therebetween and for non-rotatively receiving thespindle of the standard pre-existing roll-type toilet-tissue holder. Thecore is hollow and extends axially, concentrically, and completelythrough, the housing. When sized appropriately, the refillable dispensercan also be used for replacing a standard roll of paper toweling on astandard pre-existing roll-type paper-towel holder with a roll ofselectively dispensable pre-moistened paper toweling replaceablycontained therein so as to allow the roll of selectively dispensablepre-moistened paper toweling to be readily available in virtually anykitchen and ensure its reliable and regular use instead of the standardroll of paper toweling.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,359 discloses a dispensing system and method forpre-moistened wipes. The dispensing system includes first and secondlongitudinally extending dispensing guides. The first guide ispositioned substantially parallel and in proximity to the second guideto define a gap. The dispensing guides may each be rotatable about alongitudinally extending axis and comprise cylinders having a pluralityof lands and grooves. The wipes are dispensed by passage through the gapand a dispensing opening having an edge which is defined in part by animpingement surface. The impingement surface has a first outer portion,a second outer portion and a central portion positioned between the twoouter portions. The impingement surface is configured whereby the outerportions of the impingement surface more forcibly engage the wipe intoengagement with the dispensing guides than the central portion of theimpingement surface. This helps to maintain the wipes in a substantiallyflat condition as they are dispensed and prevents the “bunching up” ofthe wipe. The dispensing of the wipes with such a system may involveengaging a wipe with the impingement surface where outer portions of theimpingement surface extend a greater distance than the central portionin a direction impinging on the wipe. The two outer portions of theimpingement surface engage the wipe in areas adjacent opposite sideedges of the wipe.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,395 discloses a compact dispenser for bothpre-moistened wipes and dry bathroom tissue. The dispenser includes afirst compartment for the pre-moistened wipes. The pre-moistened wipesmay be placed in a removable tray in the first compartment. The drybathroom tissue may be supported on a roll bar and be partiallypositioned in a second compartment of the dispenser. The dispenser maybe mounted to a conventional bathroom tissue fixture using a mountingdevice.

The present invention seeks to overcome many problems associated withthe prior art. The present invention is an industrial-strengthdispensing system designed for the dispensation and distribution of handsanitizing towelettes and pre-moistened waiting products. The presentinvention is intended to serve commercial, industrial and privatesectors by offering both the public and professional a real tool forcleaning, hand sanitizing and germ protection in a plurality of privateor public facilities. The invention is intended to be easily mounted andergonomic. Further, the invention will fit flat against the wall orstall in order to take up the least amount of space in an already tightenclosure. The invention will preferably be constructed from an impactresistant plastic which is corrosion and chip resistant, durable,economic and easy to clean and maintain.

The invention can be applied in virtually any end user market and can beused in airlines, boats, malls, public parks, gas stations, municipalbuildings, health care facilities, hospitals and private homes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hand wipe in closeproximity to a toilet.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a handcleaning mechanism and system which eliminates e-Coli bacteria.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a system for providingdisinfecting hand wipes. The hand wipes are located at a dispenserproximate to a toilet. The hand wipes are used to clean and sanitize theuser's hands after normal bodily functions.

In a further embodiment, the present invention is a hand towelettedispenser comprising a dispenser which is situated near the toilet andcontains a plurality of pre-moistened towelettes within the dispenserfor cleaning the hands of a user.

In yet a further embodiment, the present invention is a hand towelettedispenser comprising a box-shaped dispenser that is situated near thetoilet and contains a plurality of pre-moistened sanitized toweletteswithin the dispenser for cleaning the hands of a user.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a side view of the wet wipe dispenser of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an overview of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an overhead view of a hand wipe system in accordance with theinvention.

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a first alternative embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a second alternative embodiment of the presentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is described with reference to the enclosedFigures, wherein the same numbers are utilized where applicable. FIGS. 1and 2 illustrate an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, theinvention comprises a housing 10. The housing 10 supports and holds aplurality of pre-moistened napkins or towelettes 12. The napkins 12include a disinfectant which kills bacteria such as e-coli on the user'shands. After the user utilizes toilet paper to remove bodily residue,the user can access the towelette and clean his or her hands prior toreattaching clothing.

In the first embodiment, the invention comprises a towelette dispenser14. The dispenser is box-shaped. The towelettes comprise a pre-moistenedand rolled and sealed towelette 16 in a plastic casing 18. Thetowelettes 12 are rolled up 16 and encased in the plastic container.They are dispensed via gravity due to the slanted box bottom.

In a second embodiment, the invention comprises a box 22 with a topaperture 24. The towelettes can be accessed similar to facial tissue.The aperture permits towelettes to be dispensed.

In both embodiments, the invention comprises a dispenser for permittingindividuals to clean their hands before reattaching clothing.

FIGS. 5 through 8 disclose alternative embodiments of the presentinvention. An exploded view of an alternative embodiment is shown inFIG. 5. The invention comprises a two-part housing 26, 28 comprisingrespective front and rear housing members 26,28 each of which supportstwo rolls of towelettes 28.

The towelettes 33 are in a roll format and are attached to a top andbottom vertical axis 30. Two slits 29 hold the sheet ends of thepre-moistened sheets. The front housing 26 matably attaches to the rearhousing 28 and encases the vertically extending rolls 33. A top piece 30fits on top of the front and rear sections and includes two apertures32, 34 through which pre-moist napkins and towelettes may be dispensed.The top piece 30 includes a flip top 36 which selectively opens andcloses the apertures Referring to FIG. 6, the system is shown assembled.The rear housing can be attached to a wall proximate to a toilet seat.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the invention is shown comprising analternative embodiment in which the towelettes are dispensed viaindividual boxes 38.

The front and rear housing members 39, 41 comprise three vertical slots40, each of which is proximate to three stacked dispensing boxes 45. Therear frame housing is attached to a wall or structure proximate to atoilet. The front housing 39 is attached to a hinged mechanism 47 on therear housing which permits the structure to rotate outward and permitthe dispensing boxes to be periodically replaced. As with theembodiments of FIGS. 5 and 6, each of the front dispensing sections hashinged flip covers 41 which permits the front of the housing to beselectively opened and closed, thus maximizing sterility.

The present invention has been described with reference to the enclosedFigures and detailed description. It is to be appreciated that the truenature of the present invention is to be referenced to the claimsappended hereto.

1. A hand towelette dispenser comprising: a dispenser situated near thetoilet; and a plurality of pre-moistened towelettes within the dispenserfor cleaning the hands of a user.
 2. The dispenser of claim 1 whereinthe towelettes are enclosed within plastic packaging.
 3. The dispenserof claim 1 wherein the towelettes are loosely enclosed within a box. 4.A hand towelette dispenser affixed proximate to a toilet comprising: abox-shaped dispenser affixed near the toilet; and a plurality ofpre-moistened dispensable sanitized towelettes within the dispenser forcleaning the hands of a user.
 5. A hand towellette dispenser affixedproximate to a toilet comprising: a box shaped dispenser having adispensing slit; and a plurality of pre-moistened towelettes which aredispensable through the slit.
 6. A hand towelette dispenser affixedproximate to a toilet comprising: a box-shaped dispenser affixed nearthe toilet and having a front and rear housing section; a plurality ofpre-moistened dispensable sanitized towelettes within at least onedispensing system for cleaning the hands of a user; and a dispensingport affixed to the housing for permitting the towelettes to bedispensed.